From Grass Roots Internacional
The Grinalda do Ouro community has had a target on its back. As we reported back in February, land grabbers under direction of rural elites have attempted to violently expel this traditional rural community in the Cerrado region of Piauí, Brazil. With bulldozers and hired thugs, a wealthy businessman has attempted to steal natural resources and expand his already large farm.
Despite a court order suspending the project’s licenses, the elites are still looking to steal the community’s territory. Last month, the violence escalated.
Land grabbers destroyed the access road to the Grinalda do Ouro community, making it impossible for people to travel and to transport children to school. With authorities’ attention focused on the elections, they dug wells and ran power cables to steal the community’s natural resources. They are also opening an illegal road in the Riacho dos Cavalos community, in the Melancias Territory.
Earlier this year, international solidarity helped stop these rural land grabbers in their tracks. Let’s stand together for justice again, and keep up the pressure against the far right and rural elites.